Artificial limb.



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' PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

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G. E. WILKINS. ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1e, 1904.

PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

G.V E. WILKINS. ARTIFICIAL LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1904 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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ARTIFICIAL LIIVIB.l

Specicationof Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906.

Application filed June 18, 1904. Serial No. 213,152.

T 0 @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. WIJLKrNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oshkosh, in the county of innebago and State of lllisconsiii, have invented new and useful Improvements in Artificial Limbs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in artificial limbs, and has particular relation to the construction of an artificial leg suitable for replacing the entire lower leg and foot of the person, and it may be used by itself or may be used in connection with upper eXtensions extendingto the body of the wearer.

The invention consists in an artificial leg having a lower leg portion and a foot portion, means connecting the foot portion with the leg portion, an ankle cushion-block carried by the foot portion and having an inclined surface, the lower end of the leg having a beveled end resting upon said cushion-block and bolts for holding the parts together and yet permitting of their articulation.

The invention also consists in an artificial leg comprising a foot, a lower leg portion, a rocking joint being interposed between the said parts, an ankle-bolt holding the ankle portion in position, a heel-cord for controlling the movement of the ankle, and means for controlling the height of the heel.

The invention further consists in an artificial leg made up of a lower leg portion, an

i upper attaching portion, and a foot portion,

means securing the foot to the legportion with an articulating movement, a movable toe carried by the foot portion, bearings interposed between the foot portion and the toe, and means for adjusting said bearings.

The invention also consists in certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical sectional view through an artificial limb constructed in accordance with thc present invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view showing the manner of forming the joint between the lower leg portion of the limb and the upper attaching portion. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the wearing-plate employed in said joint. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken upon the line a of Fig. 1 and looking toward the foot. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the foot portion detached from the leg. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view through the forward end of the foot and through a portion of the toe, showing the manner of attaching the toe to the foot with an articulating joint. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the cushion-block employed in the ankle of the limb looking at the same from the bottom.

The present invention contemplates the productionof an artificial leg in which an ample ankle-and-toe movement Vcan be secured and in which lthe articulating joints, although very strong may be nicely adjusted for permitting of movements as near like the movements oll the natural leg as possible.

In the drawings, l indicates a lower leg, which is preferably hollow and made of sufficient lightness without sacrificing the strength thereof, the aim being to have the artificial leg about the same weight as the natural leg, so as to balance the wearer in walking. The leg-casing l is open at the top and may receive the stump of a leg, if desired, or if the leg has been amputated at the joint of the knee or above it it will be secured only by the upper securing means or socket 2. Projecting upwardly from the casing 1, on o positle sides thereof, are flat strips, preferabljf' of iron, as 3. Bolted or riveted to the upper ends of these strips are pivot-pin plates 4. These plates are provided with suitable pivot-pins 5, preferably having heads 6, which are secured to said pivot-pin plates 4, while their ends extend through apertures in the said plates 4 and through a wearing-plate 7, arranged in the joints, and thence through the lower ends of strips S, which project downwardly from the securing belt or socket 2.. The pivot pins 5 after being passed through the strips 8 are headed over or otherwise secured in position, so that the strips 3 and S will be firmly held together with a hinged joint. The important feature of the joint is the wearing-plate 7, which is preferably formed of steel and is removable and placed upon the pivot-pin 5. The plate is held in position upon the pivot-pin plate 4 by means of a set-screw 9. When the joint is separated, the steel plate 7 may be removed by loosening the screw 9, and the new wearing-plate may be put into place. This construction of joint makes it possible to secure a durable joint and one which is possessed of more or less elasticity under the weight of the wearer. 2 is preferably formed of leather or other flexible material, and the upper ends of the strips 8 are secured in place i'n pockets stitched or The attaching socket or casing` IOO IIO

The lower-leg casing 1 is made hollow for the greater portion of its length, but is preferably closed at its lower end and is formed with a seat at that point for receiving a heelcord block 10. The walls of the lower leg 1 may be provided at suitable intervals with elongated openings or slots 11, which contribute to the lightness of the leg and also permit of a circulation of air through the interior thereof. In this manner ample coolness as well as ventilation is secured for the wearer. vThe lower end of the leg 1 is formed with a reduced depending portion 12, which rests in a socket formed in the foot, as will be hereinafter described. The heelblock 10, together with the lower closed end of the legcasing 1, carries an ankle-bolt 13 and a heelcord bolt 14.- Each of these bolts is formed with upper and lowerbolt-sections joined at the center by articulating joints 15 and 16. Each of these joints is preferably made by forming the bolt-sections at their adjacent ends with interlocking eyes, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The ankle-bolt 13 extends upwardly from the block 10 at its upper end and is engaged by a nut 17, which engages an eye 18, resting upon the upper surface of the said block 10. A jam-nut 19 is also employed and is screwed down snugly against the nut 17 on the end of the bolt 13 to rigidly hold the said bolt in position. The lower boltsection of the said ankle-bolt 13 extends through the foot 2O and `receives upon its lower threaded end a securing-nut 21 and a jam-nut 22,A as clearly shown in Fig. 1. A washer 23 is interposed between the nut 21 and the foot, and the said washer rests upon and is drawn against an elastic bushing 24, preferably made of rubber. The bushing 24 is set into a socket formed in the under surface of the foot, and the movement of the bolt is thus cushioned to some extent. The pull of the leg upon the said bolt in bending the ankle is thus brought to bear to some extent upon the'elastic bushing 24. The foot portion 20 is formed upon its under surface with a depression or recess 25, which is made of suflicient depth to inclose the nuts 21 and `22 and the end of the lower section of the bolt 13. In this manner the said bolt and its In the socket 26 is This seat-block 27 is also preferably made of rubber, as is the bushing 24. The upper surface of thesaid block 27 is inclined rearwardly. The socket 26 and the seat-block 27 are preferably made cylindrical, as shown in Fig. 5, and in order to prevent the said block 27 from turning in the socket I provide a depending lug or pin 23 upon the under surface of the said seat-block 27. The depending lug 28 engages an aperture 29, formed in the bottom of the socket 26, so that when the said block is "once placed in position in the said socket it cannot be turned or become twisted therein, andthe inclined upper surface of the seat-block will always be held so that the ineline is toward the rear. The under surface of the reduced portion 12 is preferably slightly beveled, so that half of the end surface thereof is approximately horizontal, as at 30,while the end face at the front is beveled upwardly, as at 31. The beveled end of the projection 12 thus secures a limited rocking movement for the leg upon the yielding seat-block 27. The socket 26 is preferably lined around its side walls with a thin metallic lining 32, such as copper, the upper edges of the lining being turned outwardly to form a beveled entrance to the socket. In the iioor of the socket I place a seat-plate 33, upon which the seatblock 27 rests. It is sometimes advantageous to have a slight adjustment of the seatblock, and this is accomplished by raising one edge of the plate 33. As shown inFig. 1, a screw-bolt 34 is provided for `this pur ose. The bolt assesupwardly through the ody portion ofp the foot 20, extending from the recess 25 in the bottom of the foot to the bottom of the socket 26. A nut or other screwthreaded means 35 is embedded in the material of the foot, so as to be ilushwith the floor of the socket 26, and the u per threaded end of the bolt 34 engages the tii so that by turning the bolt its end may be thrust upwardly in the socket 26 and lift the plate 33, since it bears against the under surface thereof. The lower end ofthe bolt 34 is preferably provided with a many-sided head 36, by which the bolt maybe turned for effect- IOO reads of said nut,

IIC

ing the adjustment of'the seat-plate 33. A

binding-nut 37 is also provided upon the said. bolt for clamping the same in its adjusted positions. In this simple and yet effective manner the cushion seat-block 27 may be so adjusted as to give the leg-casing the proper incline for a normal position. The downward thrust of the leg-section is cushioned upon the block 27, while the upward pull, caused by bending the ankle, draws upon the yielding bushing 24. The cushion-block 27 and the bushing 24 may be compressed as much as desired by the binding-nuts 21 and 22, which draw the parts toget er.

Cooperating with the ankle-bolt 13 is aheelcord 14. The cord or bolt 14 is made of two sections connected with interlocking eyes at the joint 16 in a manner similar to the sections of the bolt 13. The lower section of the heel-cord passes through the heel portion of the foot, the lower end thereof projecting into a recess 38, the said recess receiving a.

securing-nut 39 and a ani-nut 40 for tightly holding the bolt-section in such heel. A washer 41 is preferably interposed between the securing-nut 39 and the bottom of the socket 38. The upper section of the cord 14 extends upwardly through the closed end of the leg-section 1 and through a socket 42, formed in the heel-block 10. This socket is also preferably lined by thin metal, as copper, such as that used in the socket 26, the said lining being indicated at 43. Mounted in the socket 42 is the principal heel-spring 44. This spring is preferably a spiral spring of ample strength to hold the heel in proper relation to the lower-leg section during the operation of walking, the said spring yielding sull iciently to facilitate said operation. The upper end of the cord 14 carries a washer-nut 45, which engages the threads thereof. The washer portion of this nut is formed with peripherally-extending yielding portions 46, which are preferably made of rubber or leather. The edging of this washer engages the walls of the socket 42 and prevents any rattling of the bolt or its nuts within the said socket. A jam-nut 47 is also provided upon the end of the cord 14, and a washer 48 is interposed between it and the washer and nut 45, the said washer 4S having an inwardly-projecting key or detent 49, which engages a longitudinal groove 50, formed in the upper bolt-section of the cord. Tn this manner the washer will be prevented from turning when the jam-nut is screwed down tightly against the vashernut, and the parts can be more tightly held against turning. A light auxiliary spring 51 is employed within the socket 42, the said spring being enlarged at its lower end and surrounding the upper cord-section within the main spring 44. This auxiliary spring takes up any tendency to ,rattle in the heelcord bolt-joint. Means is provided at the heel also for a slight adjustment of the height thereof, consisting in a nut-disk 52, having a centrally-threaded aperture which screws upon the lower end of the lower cord-section, the said nut-disk being preferably of a size to fit within the socket or recess 3S. The lower face of the said disk is preferably rounded somewhat to form a smooth surface, and it is provided with suitable means by which it may be turned upon the cord-section for causing it to project to a greater or less extent below the surface of the heel. A set-screw 53 is mounted in the apertured concavity of the said disk, and when the disk has been adjusted to the desired point upon the cord-section the said set-screw is turned against the end of the cord-section for binding the disk in its adjusted position. This nut disk or plate is usually set to secure the proper height for the wearer with a given height of heel upon his shoe. As the heel of the slice wears, so as to reduce its height, the disk is adjusted so as to project a greater distance beyond the surface of the heel, and the heel is thus lifted upon the insole of the shoe to compensate for 4the wear of the shoe-heel.

The foot portion of the limb is provided with an articulating toe 54. A suitable horizontally-arranged bearing is interposed between the toe and the foot, a socket member 55 for said joint being carried by the foot portion, while a projecting bearing 56 is carried by the toe-piece, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The members of the bearing may be made integral with the foot and toe, if desired, but are preferably formed of harder wood than that constituting the main portion of said foot and toe. When made separate, these bearings are secured in correspondingly-shaped recesses, as shown in Fig. 1. The members of the joint are held together by means of a pivot pin or rod 57 and securing-bolts 58. The bolts 58 are provided with eyes at their ends, through which the pin 57 is passed. The ends of the bolts 5S opposite to the eyes extend into a recess 59 in the bottom of the foot portion 20, where they are engaged by securing-nuts 60 and jam-nuts 61, washers 62 being placed between the said nuts and the wall of the recess 59. The bolts 58 are held with respect to the socket member 55 by means of nuts 69, which are elnbedded in recesses formed in the socket of said member `When the bolts are to be adjusted, the pin 57 is removed and the bolts 5S are given a half-turn or more, as required. The nuts 60 and 61 are then tightened to take up the adjustment. By turning the nuts upon the ends of the bolts the member 56 of the toe-joint can be drawn snugly into place in the socket 55, so that there will be no play or movement other than a hinged movement between the parts in the said joint. The toe 54 is normally thrust downwardly at its free end by means of aspring 63, mounted in a socket 64, formed in the forward inclined end of the foot portion 20. The spring bears against the rear under surface of an overhanging portion 65, formed at the rear end of the toe-piece 54. Then the toe is forced to its forward position by the spring, a slight space is left between the overhanging portion 65 and the end of the foot, as shown in Fig. 1. This space permits of the upward movement of the toe to a sufficient extent to facilitate walking. The spring 53 is made strong enough to enable the toe to give a person in walking a forward impulse, and thus assist greatly in the propulsion of the body by means of the artificial leg. The toe-joint is originally set and adjusted to about the proper degree of tightness, and will not have to be adjusted frequently 5 but in the event IOC IIO

of its wearing the lost movement can be taken up by a slight turn of the nuts and 61.

In order to assist in relieving the jar occasioned by the use of an articial limb, I preferably provide the ball of the foot with a transversely-extending cushion or block 66 of yielding material, usually rubber. This block is usually placed to the rear of the lower meeting edges of the toe and foot, the

Asaid block being arranged upon the under surface of the socket member 55 of the toejoint. The under surface of the toe-piece is preferably covered with a piece of leather 67 or other material of a more yielding character than the wood composing the said toe. A portion of the ball of the foot just to the rear of the joint is also covered at the bottom with a piece of comparatively yielding material, as leather, at 68. This leather piece preferably covers the socket 59. Access can be had to the sockets 59 at any time by removing the screws which hold the piece of leather 68 in place. 1

The artificial leg above described is found in practice to be .of a very endurable character, the parts being all susceptible of formation with a large degree of strength to withstand wear and strain. The parts are also so constructed as to be readily replaceable in the event of their becoming worn or broken. The limited joint at the ankle is especially helpful in the use of the limb, and the tension upon the said oint can be regulated to a nicety by the nut 45, which bears upon the main spring 44 in the heel.

It will of course be apparent that minor details in the construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what Ivclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. An artificial limb, comprising a lower leg portion and a foot, and an ankle-joint connecting them, a heel-cord comprising boltsections one section of which is carried by the leg portion while the other section is rigidly secured in the heel, nuts holding the heel-section in place, a disk engaging the threads on the lower end of the lower boltsection, the said disk being capable of adjustment to project beyond the lower face of the heel to different degrees forcontrolling the elevation of the heel in the shoe of the wearer.

2. An artificial limb comprising a leg-section and a foot, the said foot having a socket formed in its upper surface, an adjustable base-plate extending over the bottom of said recess, means for adjusting said plate to different angles in said socket a yielding seat covering said base-plate and within the socket, means for preventing the rotation of said seat within the socket, a beveled proj ection upon the end'of the leg-section and resting upon'the yielding seat, and means for connecting the leg-section with the foot, said means extending through the seat and baseplate.

3. An artificial limb, comprising a leg-section, and foot, the said foot having a socket formed therein, a base-plate arranged in the bottom of the socket, means extending upwardly through the foot and engaging the base-plate from beneath for tipping it in the socket, a yielding seat within the socket and resting upon the base-plate, means carried by the yielding seat and engaging the socket for preventing the turning of the said yielding seat in the socket, a beveled projection upon the end of the leg-section and resting upon the said seat and a jointed bolt for holding the leg-section in position and permitting the leg-section to rock upon the said yielding seat.

4. An artificial limb, comprising a hollow leg-section and a foot, said foot having a legreceiving socket formed therein, an extension formed upon the leg-section, having a beveled lower end, permitting a rocking movement of said leg-section in said socket, an ankle-bolt having upper and lower sections carried by the leg and foot respectively and provided withvan articulating joint at the point of contact between the leg and foot, and a heel-bolt havingA sections carried by the leg and foot and having an articulating joint at the said point of movement at the ankle.

5. An artificial limb, comprising a leg-section and a foot-section, a hinged toe secured to the foot-section, a transversely-extending bearing projecting from the toe, a corresponding socketbearing being formed across the end of the foot-section, bolts for drawing the bearings together and yet permitting of their movement with relation-to each other and a transversely-arranged cushion or elastic pad the foot-section having a recess for receiving the said pad and holding the same beneath the axis of movement of the toe, the said pad extending the entire length of the bearings beneath the same.

6. An artificial leg, comprising a leg portion and a foot portion, a recess being formed in the said foot portion, a tapered yielding pad mounted in said recess, a tipping plate supporting the said pad, and means for holding the leg-section upon said pad. Y

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE E. WILKINS.

Witnesses:

A. R. WATERnoUsE, W. H. WYMAN.

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